2011 California Code
Welfare and Institutions Code
DIVISION 8.5. MELLO-GRANLUND OLDER CALIFORNIANS ACT [9000 - 9757.5]
ARTICLE 3. Investigation and Resolution of Complaints
Section 9726

(a) The office shall establish a toll-free telephone hotline, in Sacramento, to receive telephone calls concerning any crises discovered by any person in a long-term care facility, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 9701. The telephone hotline established under this section shall be operated to include at least all of the following:

(1) The telephone hotline shall be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

(2) The operator shall respond to a crisis call by contacting the appropriate office, agency, or individual in the local community in which the crisis occurred.

(3) The toll-free hotline telephone number shall be posted conspicuously in either the facility foyer, lobby, residents activity room, or other conspicuous location easily accessible to residents in each licensed facility by the licensee. The office shall issue, in conjunction with the State Department of Social Services and the State Department of Health Services, guidelines concerning the posting of the toll-free number. The posting shall, at a minimum, include the purpose of the hotline number.

(b) The office shall respond to hotline telephone calls.

(c) The toll-free telephone hotline shall be staffed in a manner consistent with available resources in the department. The department may contract for the services of individuals to staff the telephone hotline. The department shall seek to provide opportunities for older individuals to be employed to staff the hotline. The State Department of Health Services and the State Department of Social Services, and other appropriate departments, shall make available to the department and the office training and technical assistance as needed.

(Repealed and added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1097, Sec. 13. Effective January 1, 1997.)